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| Autism Advocacy Leaders converge at the biggest Angels Walk for Autism lead by Ms. Dang Koe (5th from left), ASP Chair Emeritus and the inaugural ASEAN Prize Laureate 2018; Mr. Hans T. Sy (in blue shirt); Engr. Bien Mateo 4th from right - in blue shirt), SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Program on PWD’s,; and Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz (4th from right) during the Angels Walk for Autism 2019 held at MOA Arena on March 3, 2019 |
The Angels Walk for Autism 2019 was a big success. As a matter of fact, this is the biggest Angels Walk in the country today attended by different sector in the society, not only here in Metro Manila, but the whole nations plus some of the delegates from the neighboring countries who supported and advocates for acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of Filipinos with autism towards an Autism-OK Philippines.
The Autism Society Philippines (ASP), together with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, will hold the annual Angels Walk for Autism on March 3, from the Mall of Asia Arena and it will end up to SM Music Hall.
This year’s Angels Walk for Autism celebrates our country’s legacy of strong leaders that have rought the autism advocacy forward -- for the last 30 years, across 97 chapters, with 13,000 members -- and have become the foundation on which the next generation of leaders will build the future.
Different groups participated athe Angels Walk arriving at the SM Music Hall.
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| (center) Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Program on PWD’s and Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz serves as the National President of the Autism Society Philippines |
AUTISM ADVOCACY LEADERS CONVERGE AT THE ANGELS WALK FOR AUTISM
As early as 6:00 AM, people gather at MOA Arena for the short program. Talented individual and groups perform at the stage to entertain guests and the rest of the co-Angels inside the arena.
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| AUTISM ADVOCACY LEADERS CONVERGE AT THE ANGELS WALK FOR AUTISM held at MOA Arena on March 3, 2019 |
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| Carlo Gregorio Veluz, ASP Autism Angel Achievement Awardee (for Visual Arts) |
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| Eduardo Enrique Munarriz, ASP Autism Angel Achievement Awardee (for Athletics) |
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| Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz serves as the National President of the Autism Society Philippine; Mr. Hans T. Sy; Ms. Dang Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus and the inaugural ASEAN Prize Laureate 2018; and Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Program on PWD’s for the Building Autism - OK Philippines #TRENTAgether |
Hans T. Sy will be honored as the inaugural recipient of the ASP’s Leadership Award for Autism Inclusion and Welfare. It is the society’s highest recognition, celebrating exemplary leadership that has a significant and positive impact on advancing ASP’s vision of acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism in an Autism-OK Philippines. Beyond awareness, Mr. Sy’s leadership has inspired tangible, measurable action through the accomplishments of SM Cares.
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| Ms. Dang Koe, ASP Chair Emeritus and the inaugural ASEAN Prize Laureate 2018 |
“Although many are aware of autism, very few people actually understand what it means to live life on the autism spectrum. SM Cares and ASP come together as a community to remind everyone that autism awareness and acceptance should be part of their everyday lives. Awareness is a good thing, but acceptance is far more meaningful,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Program on PWD’s.
The program will include the presentation of the annual ASP Autism Angel Achievement Awards to Samantha Pia Cabanero (for Advocacy), Eduardo Enrique Munarriz (for Athletics), and Carlo Gregorio Veluz (for Visual Arts). It will also incorporate the induction of the new ASP Board of Trustees, composed of parent advocates; and the first set of officers of the ASP Self-Advocates Circle, composed of adults with autism. The festivities will include acts from special guests and performers on the autism spectrum, and a special presentation on ASP’s milestones since its foundation in 1989.
ASP will also award the Autism Works Partners of the Year honors to Dohtonbori Philippines, a japanese casual dining pioneer and to Willis Towers Watson, a global leader in risk management and consultancy, for their unwavering commitment to the creation of productive opportunities for job seekers with autism.
Over 20,000 participants -- families, professionals, supporters from the government and private sectors, from the Philippines and overseas -- are expected to join the annual walk from the MOA Arena to the SM MOA Music Hall. The walk is held with the support of the MOA Arena, SM Mall of Asia, National Council of Disability Affairs, ASEAN Autism Network and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability.
The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons with autism spectrum disorder to become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, productive and socially-accepted members of the community. ASP labors to establish institutional mechanisms to support persons with autism and their families. Established in 1989, the organization -- composed of 13,000 members spread over 96 chapters -- has been in the forefront of providing services to families and individuals affected with autism.
SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy). As a responsible integrated property developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports.
Austim Society Philippines
Website: www.autismsocietyphilippines.org
FB / IG / Twitter: @autismphils Email: autismphils@gmail.com
SM Cares
Website: www.smcares.com.ph
FB / IG / Twitter: @OfficialSMCares Email: smcares@smprime.com
